Paxton, MA – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) recently announced the cancellation of conference athletic competitions for Winter sports following a unanimous vote by the GNAC Presidents' Council.

With the health and well-being of students and staff as the highest priority, each GNAC institution may plan for student-athlete training, conditioning opportunities, and non-conference competition consistent with federal and state public health recommendations, the NCAA, and institutional guidelines

The winter sports affected include men's and women's basketball, men's and women's swimming & diving, and men's and women's indoor track & field. GNAC sponsored championships for these sports will not take place.

The GNAC Presidents' Council has not yet made a determination on the status of spring sports. It will continue to meet regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, as all options will be thoroughly evaluated to make an informed decision based on both federal and state health and safety guidelines.

This decision impacts the Anna Maria College men’s and women’s basketball teams who compete in the GNAC. The College and the athletic department will continue to offer opportunities for training and engaging in meaningful on-campus athletically related activities during the spring semester for these winter sports including potential local area competition. A decision about men’s and women’s ice hockey has not been made at this time.

“The health and safety of our student-athletes and campus community remains our priority,” said Joe Brady ’96, Director of Athletics. “Although we will not be participating in the traditional sense this winter in basketball and competing in a traditional GNAC schedule and championships, Anna Maria College and the athletic department will work hard to provide an environment that will improve the skills, performance, and leadership of our student-athletes.”

Anna Maria College continues to work with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (Mass. DPH) and the local Board of Health to monitor the situation locally. The College and the athletic department are also following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is providing general health and safety information on the coronavirus.

GNAC Presidents' Council

Marc M. Camille, Ed.D., Albertus Magnus College Mary Lou Retelle, Anna Maria College

Susan D. Stuebner, Ed.D., Colby-Sawyer College Dr. Paula M. Rooney, Dean College

Sister Janet Eisner, Emmanuel College

Marie Bernardo-Sousa, LP.D., Johnson & Wales University (RI) Michael B. Alexander, Lasell University

Mark C. Anarumo, Col., USAF, (Ret), Norwich University
Antoinette Hays, Ph.D., Regis College

Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, Rivier University Rhona C. Free, Ph.D., University of Saint Joseph (CT)
Dr. James Dlugos, Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten, Simmons University

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 13 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region.

Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 22 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity, and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.

About Anna Maria College

Located just outside of Worcester in Paxton, MA, Anna Maria College is a private, co-educational institution inspired by the ideals of the Sisters of Saint Anne. We prepare students to become ethical leaders by combining a values-based, service-focused education with strong functional knowledge and the skills necessary to address the rapidly changing needs of their world. Anna Maria delivers undergraduate and graduate degrees along with certificate programs on campus and online. For more information, visit www.annamaria.edu.